Friday, December 26, 2014

Void:Containing no matter; empty. A vacuum.To leave; vacate.We all have voids in our lives. In our minds, our hearts, our perception of who we are. I'm clearly no expert, but what I have learned through trial and error over the years is that this is what tests our human spirit for growth.To be very raw, here is the truth:Year 2006: My marriage had started to fall apart. My son was showing signs of abnormal behaviors, my father was dying a slow death that had already started a few years prior.Year 2007: My father died. I separated from my husband, my son was diagnosed with a brain disorder...still not clear what, but it was an initial diagnosis of what was to come. I moved out of my home and took my kids with me. No money. No clue. No family nearby to help.Year 2008: My Grandmother died. My Grandfather died. My divorce was pending. My son was falling deeper into whatever it was that was going on in his brain. I was having a nervous breakdown. Legitimately lost my sense of who I was, what I needed, and why I was alive. I never hurt so much as I did after all these things happened. It was literally like a snowball effect of one thing after another...after another. It was an absolute mind fuck and life changer. When we "grow up" we rely so much on our past to be lessons of who to be, how to act. We look to those who raised us as a guide, as our lights to our dark times in life. I was clearly lost. I had no path. I had no light. Even though I was a mother, it didn't matter. I was still in my mind grieving. I started allowing the voids to consume me.I lost all trust in me. I let go of any sense of reality and created my own. Using alcohol, no sleep, and emotional torture, I wrecked through the next 2 years of my life. It was ugly. Very, very ugly. I had no family physically here to rely on. I had 2 kids who were depending on me. I had no job, no time, and no desire to make myself better. I lied to those I loved. I believed my own lies to fill those voids. I created more pain to fill the pain I was already in. For whatever sadistic reason, pain felt good. It was the only thing I went back to every single day. More pain to fill the voids of the pain I was already in.Now to the sane person this sounds ridiculous. It sounds pathetic, stupid, and self righteous. And, it was.I can say that now without shame. Without regret. Without feeling ridiculous. I, the normally calm, rational, and quiet person saw the other side of my reality. I saw the potential of the human spirit and mind when it is pushed beyond it's own perceived abilities.I only saw, felt, and acknowledged the voids.I was empty.Every day literally was a vacuum sucking the life and light out of me and instead of seeing that reality, I craved the pain of it. I wanted to feel emptier than I already was. I seek no pity, or validation. I only want to share my ugly truths in hopes it can help others who may be going through their own private pain and voids. If we cannot share truths like these, there will never be human growth or connection. I believe that with every fiber of me.I now know that without truth, no matter how uncomfortable or non flattering it is will free your ability to move forward. You will push through anything in life, as long as you are honest with yourself and those you love.

I hope to share my experience with this so that others may choose a different path...and if they don't, I want them to know they aren't crazy, or weird for feeling like this.The struggles may be different, but pain is pain. Void is Void. It all affects our daily existence and future. I, thank god made it out. I am a work in progress and this is one of the reasons I write...god knows if anyone actually reads any of this, but it doesn't matter. It is part of my journey and I hope someday my kids will read this and laugh, cry, cringe, etc...but at least they will know I was just a person. Not a super hero. Not made of steel. I bend, I break, and I found myself to be resilient. I was just doing my best every single day. I want them to know that their love and existence saved me. Some days were clear and much easier than others, but I kept pushing forward because of them.I can honestly say today I am one of the luckiest gals around. I love my friends, family, and life SO much. It's not a perfect life...but it is one built on a real foundation. A foundation of truths, lessons and perception that can only be gained through void.Yes there were bridges that had to be rebuilt, and apologies that had to be made, personal acceptance to evolve, but eventually it all happened.I have the best friends. The best sister. The best mom. The best KyKy. The best kids, all of them are my life savers.I may not have my dad, or my grandparents or the son I thought I would. I may not have as much money as I may like. I may have a shit load of "good god whys"...BUT I know inherently that I am exactly where I need to be today. I went through what I did for a reason. I have the people in my life today for a reason. I have 2 beautiful kids that will grow up to be whatever it is they were destined to be. I have no control over that.Once I learned that I have no control, but I do have choice, life became very clear and very beautiful...The lessons came flowing and my heart took a deep breath. I may never see my son get married or have a family. I may never have a daughter that doesn't worry about everything. I may never find my happily ever after.And that is o.k. Today, I can say that with a smile on my face and contentment in my heart. I don't panic when my reality is in my way. It is not a perceived reality anymore either, but one that is allowing me to learn, move forward, and make better choices.What I do know is that there are monsters in life, there are castles, and there are journeys to be taken.I wish that you take them all with an open heart. You will learn.You will fill those voids in your heart and mind.Voids can be a blessing. A necessary. A gift. I wish everyone a blessed 2015.Make it awesome, and I hope if you do have any voids you choose to fill them with love...with light...with friends and family.No matter how big or small your family or circle of friends is, the ones who are still standing by your side after the storm are the ones who matter. They will be your light during the dark times.P.S. The world lost a beautiful light and life this year. Leslie was one of a kind. A truly happy soul that had life figured out. She already knew all these life lessons without doubt. I will honor you every day with sunshine and reminding myself to "Be Happy".Love you Mel. Fill your voids with love...and some wine and cheese...she would want it that way :)peace.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Yesterday Kannon and I went to the pool.
There was a neighborhood "guy" there whom we see walking around the neighborhood often, and he is at the pool all the time. To spare the long drawn out details of what led up to things I will cut to the point. This guy ends up calling Kannon stupid and then proceeded to hit him on the head with his boogie board while laughing...then as we left the pool as a result of this guys behavior he continued to call Kannon chubby and stupid as we walked out.
This is the third "incident" in months that Kannon was physically and verbally harassed at the pool.
A month ago a group of boys thought it would be funny to wrestle Kannon in the water while kicking him in the male parts and calling him fat and stupid.
I will spare my actions/words that resulted in these incidents. Point being, this is about Kannon and his responses to these incidents rather than my mamma bear going all bananas on these people.

Kannon suffers indignities like this often.
Unfortunate and sad, but it is truth. It is the reality that is out there and some people go through without any fault of their own. They suffer at the actions/words of others because they are misunderstood, different, or misjudged.

Do I like seeing my son go through these things? Is it wrong of me to act out on these people when I feel saying so would be hypocritical of me? My simple answer is No. My son has Autism. He is different. He cannot speak for himself and he doesn't have the emotional capacity to understand bullying or why some people can just be assholes. He only sees good, even when it is bad. He finds the good in every situation. I on the other hand believe in accountability for ones actions...but that's another story.

What Kannon has taught me is to stop feeling victimized. He never once has acted as the victim. As mean as kids have been to him, as awful as it made my heart feel watching him being treated like this, he always walked away with love. Always. He forgave first, never pointed fingers or looked for blame.
He finds the bigger truth always. He has showed me to find truth before judgement, blame, or name calling.

Kannon always walks away from these situations with his head held high, even when he was in pain. Maybe it is the Autism, but he never let that pain overcome his truth. When there were tears from the physical pain, his emotions were always that of gratitude towards these bullies for taking time out to play with him. Some people will feel pity for that. I feel honored to see humanity at its best.
He is only human and he does feel pain, but he never plays the victim or pity card. He never places blame or name calls, even when he is being called the harshest of them. He rises above his own pain and finds his happiness is worth more than anything.
His happiness is worth more than anything.

As a mother I find it very hard to find my balance within these situations. I look to Kannon ironically for help. He always makes it easier to find peace. He never wants to make someone else feel bad. He forgives immediately, and I know if it weren't for me he would give them a second chance. As a mother I cannot, or will not emotionally allow him to walk right back into that situation. I used to in the past as I am a believer in second chances, but not when his well being is at stake. I have learned from the years of indignities he has gone through when to call it quits. I also know from experience that people who treat others poorly out of their own pain are never going to change.
So, we both walk away. No one being the victor, just knowing that sometimes walking away from certain situations and people is always the best decision....no matter who is right or wrong. No matter what the past held or relationship may have been.

Life is too short to put up with assholes.
The sad part is that people who are the assholes don't know it. They feel entitled to call themselves the victim. They feel they are in some position to make others feel blame or shame. They feel that in this world full of pain, wrongs, and judgement that they are the only ones in their story who suffered.
Eew. No thanks.
Some things just can't be forgiven...but that doesn't mean you have to carry it around with you. Let it go without blame, walk away and choose happiness.

And, if you see someone hit your kid over the head with a boogie board restrain your desires to punch them in the face...otherwise this would all be hypocritical rambling.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

What the future holds is obviously complete speculation.
I will stand up and say that I hope for great things, great hurdles overcome and I hope overall to be surprised.
I find myself on a day to day basis being surprised by Kannon and his advances in life. He clearly is fighting a bigger battle than I could ever create or imagine in my clouded mind. He is a true warrior of a class beyond my creation.
His clarity and fight for being better is sometimes overwhelming. I find myself at times ignoring his speedy human advances in life...why? I have no clue. Maybe because having a kid with Autism is a minute to minute experience. Sometimes moments need to be reflected on at at later time....If I can catch up with his life intentions.

I was watching the movie "There's Something About Mary" tonight and I found myself laughing out loud at the character Warren. I have seen this movie at least 5 times before and always knew deep down that Warren's character has Autism without them coming out and saying it. The physical ticks, the repetitive behavior, etc...it's Autism.
Anyways, not until tonight for whatever reason was I able to laugh out loud at his character. Even in the quiet of my own home...the mother of an Autistic child, I still couldn't let go and just laugh.
Well to be honest, Autism just isn't funny. Especially if you've lived with it for as long as I have.
BUT, to be able to find the humor in the honesty of it was what got to me tonight. For whatever reason I could laugh at the beautiful, pure, honesty of what it looks like from the outside.
Clearly I know what goes on behind closed doors. The therapy, the words of wisdom/hurt, the daily grind of Autism...It's just not that funny on most days.
But the overall beauty in being able to find pureness in my son's condition through a silly movie was wonderful. After all, the one thing in life I find the most healing is laughter. It is just my thing.

Autism isn't funny...I mean come on. Those of you who live it everyday know this to your core.
But the raw beauty and literal undertones can be. The black and white of it. The no Bullshit thing.

I am just glad I still had it in me to find that and to be in the moment without hesitation or guilt.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Kannon never ceases to amaze my mind with his words of insight.
As ironic as this is, since most of you know he has a great deficit in the language department.

With tomorrow being Autism Awareness day I had to share this story.
I share it in hopes it will bring a smile to your heart, a glimpse into Kannon's life, and a greater compassion to those living with Autism.

Kannon loves puzzles. He always has. I remember one of the first times he saw one out of it's box all spread out on our table…his eyes scavenging as his mind was racing to put it all together.
It was great to watch it all unfold.
Being that the chosen symbol so to speak for Autism is a puzzle piece, I thought this story was perfect to share for Autism Awareness.

The other day Kannon was in his room and for whatever reason on this day he decided to work on a puzzle he had got as a gift last year for his birthday.
It's a 500 piece puzzle, so pretty decent size for a little dude…
He had a few pieces put together here and there and I left him to his project.
I came back to check in about 30 minutes later and he had about half the puzzle done. There were pieces missing within bigger parts of the puzzle and he was sitting there with one piece in his hand leaning back against the wall staring up at the ceiling.

"Kannon are you alright buddy…you taking a break from the puzzle?"

"Mommy, it will all go together…it will all fit together…I just need a break…head hurts"

He sat there for another 5 minutes or so just dazed. Sitting with this piece on his hand his head against the wall and not a care in the world.
Finally he sat up, looked at the puzzle got up and put the piece he had in his hand aside next to his books.

"Mommy, this one is special…this needs time…"

"Time? Do you want me to help you?"

"No. I don't need help. It will all fit later…in time"

Then off he went into the living room, poured himself a glass of water, put his feet up and watched tv.

I checked on that puzzle piece over the next few days. It sat in the same place for 3 days. Puzzle untouched but still laid out on the table.
On the 4th day he went back to it. He sat down looked at the puzzle for a bit, got up and got the puzzle piece and without flinching put it with another lone piece on the table.

"See mommy it's fine…it's o.k."

He got up and left the puzzle again, seeming satisfied with his one piece fitting for that day.

I believe overall he left the puzzle out for about a week and would go back to it here and there.
He finished about 75% of it, then one day just put it all back in the box and cleaned up the table.

The amount of metaphors in that last sentence alone are astounding.
Coming from a boy who had to learn every single skill he has today through hundreds of hours of therapy, endless days, weeks of struggles for his own words to come out to express his simplest of needs…and that comes out.

It will all put itself together, and that is the bigger picture here.
My life so far has thrown me out of any mainstream thought, action, or routine that only those who live with Autism can understand. It isolates you, turns you inside out and exposes the ugliest, rawest of truths. Most of these truths take time to accept, if at all.
I know I have made many mistakes along my journey, but I also know the hurdles I have overcome because of my love for my son. The love that gets you through the times that if you had to watch someone else go through would make you cringe, cry and maybe even look away out of fear.

I want to personally express my respect, love, and support to all families who live daily with Autism.
Who have gone through the heartbreak of grasping for your child daily when they are right there in front of you…when at the end of the day all your heart would need to hear is "I love you" yet you know you aren't going to hear it.
It really is all about these kids who have to live with this disorder every minute of every day…but it is the parents love, strength, and bravery that I want to shine a light on.
Without you, without us fighting for our kids there will never be a good day for them.
Without our ability to wake up every morning knowing what the day is going to bring and being able to take a deep breathe, put on your bravest face and get up to stand next to your child, no one else will.
The constant worry, pain and ache of all the unknowns…the financial burden and stresses...
It all takes a toll on the soul, on relationships of all kinds, on your overall health.

What I am trying to say is that we all have a puzzle to put together…our life.
Our life essentially is just one big puzzle. Piece by piece we put it together, some pieces fit easily and make sense to your mind and senses right away…while others may take longer to fit. Yin to the Yang.
That is how I have to approach my life at times. If something doesn't fit or feel right, I hold onto it for awhile and come back to it…think on it. Sometimes I put it down, walk away from it and eventually I will have to come back to it for my sanity and for my overall puzzle to go together.
Most times we won't see the bigger picture yet, of why all these pieces go together. The important thing to remember is that they are coming together for a bigger purpose…and in it's own beautiful time it will come together.

Just as I said earlier I want to shine a light on those who live daily with Autism, who have pieces of their puzzles in their hands every day and grasp onto them for dear life sometimes forcing them to fit out of frustration and love…and I want them to know that's o.k. We all do it. We all want more than anything for our lives to come together in some beautiful mosaic or puzzle, piecing it together in our own way and time.
But that's the bitch of Autism.
It doesn't really give you that control or option sometimes.

So to those parents who surrender their pieces to the greater fight, to the beings unknown…I honor your love and strength.
It is truly a gift to sometimes not have all the pieces fit, and to just hold onto them a little longer than you may like or feel comfortable doing.
That is the gift.

I hope this brings awareness to anyone who chooses to open their minds and hearts to families living with Autism.
They are building some truly beautiful puzzles that deserve time.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Kannon had a victory in the past few months.
He underwent his series of tri-annual testing through the school district and last week we sat down with his Educational team and discussed the results.

I want to first address the power, or supposed power of a piece of paper…and what is written on that paper.
Whether it be a study, results of test, a letter, a bill, etc…it is all just words.
No matter what people may think are behind those concrete words, they are just that.
Just as I write, people can dismiss what they read immediately without any thought and move on.
Or they can take what they read to heart and believe what they read is truth.

It is tough to see your child "on paper".
His supposed intelligence, his years of hard work in black and white.
I have found through my personal experience with "papers" that at the end of the day it doesn't mean a damn thing.
It doesn't give an accurate assessment of either parties involved and it never really says what it is trying to.
There is always more.
Always.

Kannon is so much more than what those papers said of him.
He is much more beautiful, intelligent, focused, and present.
He is not what they perceived him to be, no matter what tests were given.

I used to put a lot of power in the paper…
Now I know better.
I know that the real truth lies in actions, everyday life, and honest assessments that one goes through daily both with themselves and those involved in their life.
I have seen too many times when words on paper affected people when in truth there is no validity to the content.
No one likes to feel inferior or judged, especially when it is so easily done through words on paper.

As a parent sometimes paper is all we have to judge where our child is at compared to their peer group.
I get a pile of papers each week sent home to me for both my kids. I find myself most of the time throwing out most of it.
Paper has lost its power.

As I said in the beginning though…a victory for Kannon!
3 years ago he could not even test. He was unable to sit still, answer any questions or understand what they were even wanting out of him. His numbers "on paper" were catastrophic.
0.01% was a common number I saw in relation to his percentile scoring…
"Well below average"…"Severely low"…all common words I saw over and over again.
In fact in those papers was even notes about how "his mother was in tears" due to the hours of frustrating tests without any positive outcome(s).
Awesome. I made the papers too ;)

But this time, this time around he was not only able to be tested, but he got through all the tests!
He was able to sit still for the hour and a half 3 times a week for months and be asked all these questions without falling to pieces or crying out of frustration.
He did it.
The real victory is that he was able to test, not what the results were…
He was able to sit through the questions and pictures and charts. He tried his hardest and did what he could with all the standardized BS that these tests run him through.

I couldn't be prouder.
He withstood the time, the pressure, and the frustration and was able to overcome in my opinion whatever was on that piece of paper.
Whatever outcome or result that was written on those papers didn't matter at all.
I have become tired of reading papers on Kannon about how "behind" or "below average" he is...

The years of sacrifice, hard work, and grit have outweighed any words or numbers.

His teacher came up to me after our meeting and told me what an honor it's been to work with Kannon. She said what a joy it is to see him every day and to see all he has overcome.
She said that kids ask about him all the time when he's absent, wanting to know if he's ok and when he will be back. He even has a group of boys from his mainstream class that play basketball with him at recess every day now…he told me he has friends he plays with now. He has friends :)
She also said that there are few people she has come across in her life that make her want to be a better person…and that Kannon was one of those people. That she can't help but want to be better and work harder because of him.
Wow.

Great job buddy.
Not only did you overcome adversity, tests, perceived realities and stereotypes, you came blazing through that finish line shining brighter than anyone could ever write about on paper.
You even managed to inspire those around you. People who were there to help you came out learning from you.

My heart is full of pride.
Maybe I helped you out a bit in all of this, I don't know.
I don't care.
All I care about is you overcoming that stupid piece of paper.
I hope more people will learn that anything that is written about them is pure speculation.
Truth or not, don't let it define you or affect your truth.

If you know yourself, really know yourself, not what others think they know about you or write about you…none of that matters in the scheme of your life path. Words or numbers should not break ones heart or spirit…ever.
What matters is results, and the majority of opinions and truths around your everyday life.

Kannon continues to overcome and inspire me with his actions and his sense of self.
He could never be swayed to believe he is anything other than what he knows he is. He draws it out every day, ironically on paper.
Castles, happy every afters, smiles, sunshine, people holding hands, friends, kind words...

Our Friends :)

About Me

I am a full time single mom to my 2 beautiful kiddos here in Orange County CA.
I am in love with the ocean, CrossFit, coffee, and my kids :)
I have been through many interesting journies thus far in life and want to share with anyone who wants to listen in hopes of creating compassion, understanding, and a voice for my 9 year old son who has Autism.
I love my family, absolutely need my friends and accept what I have evolved into over the years.
Life is full of unexpected events and wonderful moments...I hope to capture them all and turn them into emotional learning tools.
I love to learn...about all kinds of things.
I love a good challenge, and I am VERY stubborn.
I enjoy hearing people talk about their adventures, and I respect life enough to really listen.
After all, what is a life well lived if not shared with others.
peace.